William Orbit is sifting through more than fifty tracks for his next solo album, due in September, which will be his first release since he offered electronic updates of classical pieces by Beethoven, Handel and Barber on 2000's Pieces in a Modern Style.
The composer/producer has been bouncing between his own projects and others' for the past year. Orbit produced "Electrical Storm," a new cut for U2's Greatest Hits 1990-2000, as well as "Sweet Song" for Blur's new Think Tank. More recently, he co-wrote "Feel Good Time" with Beck, which he then recorded with Pink for the Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle soundtrack and Pink's next album, due in November.
As for his own album, candidates include "Dice," a new song featuring Finley Quaye and Beth Orton; a second collaboration with Blur's Damon Albarn recorded during the Think Tank sessions; and a recently wrapped session with Kentucky hip-hop ensemble Nappy Roots.
Orbit has also been working on pieces for his fourth Strange Cargo album, due next year. He began the series of ambient recordings in 1987.